Cornelia Vasile | Plant Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Vasile | Plant Biotechnology | Best Scholar Award

Senior Leadin Researcher at Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Petru Poni| Romania

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Vasile is an internationally recognized polymer scientist with an exceptional career spanning more than five decades in macromolecular chemistry, polymer blends, nanocomposites, bio-based materials, and polymer waste valorization. A Senior Researcher I at the “P. Poni” Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romania (1966–2019), she has made pioneering contributions to polymer recycling, thermal analysis, environmentally degradable polymers, and advanced materials for medical, pharmaceutical, and energy applications. Her scientific impact includes 13,500+ citations, 61 h-index, 127 books/chapters, over 170 research papers, 35 patents, and leadership of over 50 national and international research projects, including COST, CEEX, Marie Curie, and NATO grants. A Fulbright Fellow (1994–1995) and long-standing IUPAC member, Prof. Vasile has served on editorial boards of major polymer science journals (Materials, Polymers, IJPS, Nanomaterials, etc.), acted as evaluator for research agencies across Europe, and collaborated with universities in the USA, Canada, Greece, Turkey, and Japan. Her scientific excellence has been recognized with more than 20 international awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), Polymers Best Paper Award (2025), International Research Award in Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (2025), and distinctions from the Romanian Academy. In 2025 she was named Honorary Citizen of Izvoarele Commune.

Profile :  Orcid 

Featured Publications : 

Vasile, C. (2019). Biocompatible materials based on plasticized poly(lactic acid), chitosan and rosemary ethanolic extract: I. Effect of chitosan on the properties of plasticized poly(lactic acid) materials. Polymers, 11(6), 941.

Vasile, C. (2019). New alginate/PNIPAAm matrices for drug delivery. Polymers, 11(2), 366.

Vasile, C. (2019). Chitosan-based bionanocomposite films prepared by emulsion technique for food preservation. Materials, 12(3), 373.

Vasile, C. (2018). Antioxidant/antibacterial electrospun nanocoatings applied onto PLA films. Materials, 11(10), 1973.

Vasile, C. (2018). Evaluation of the rosemary extract effect on the properties of polylactic acid-based materials. Materials, 11(10), 1825.

Vasile, C. (2018). Polymeric nanocomposites and nanocoatings for food packaging: A review. Materials, 11(10), 1834.

Peter Makieu | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

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Mr. Peter Makieu | Crop Science | Editorial Board Member

Research Teaching Assistant at Njala University | Sierra Leone

Mr. Peter Makieu is an emerging multidisciplinary researcher whose academic and professional journey spans agribusiness management, computer science, data analytics, and machine learning applications in agriculture, reflecting a unique blend of scientific rigor and technological innovation. He holds advanced degrees in Agribusiness Management and Computer Science and Engineering, complemented by strong foundations in research methodology, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and publication ethics. His scholarly pursuits focus on agribusiness development, food and nutrition systems, crop science improvement, and the integration of intelligent technologies such as predictive analytics, precision agriculture tools, and AI-driven automation to enhance agricultural productivity, sustainability, and decision-making. Peter’s research contributions include peer-reviewed works on nutritional assessment of indigenous crops, financial access challenges among farming communities, and the performance analysis of AI models and minimalist neural network architectures, demonstrating both scientific depth and interdisciplinary versatility. Professionally, he has served as a Research Teaching Assistant in agribusiness, a Data Analyst for national value-chain assessments, an Acting Principal and Lecturer contributing to academic governance and curriculum leadership, and a facilitator of training programs for farmers, students, and professionals. His roles have encompassed research design, data interpretation, academic mentorship, statistical modeling, administrative leadership, and community engagement. Peter has also gained hands-on experience in plantation management, market linkages, production planning, and quality control through internships and development collaborations. Known for his strong communication skills, academic leadership, and commitment to sustainable development, he continues to pursue impactful research at the intersection of agriculture, technology, and socio-economic transformation, contributing to knowledge advancement and capacity building across diverse sectors.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications : 

Makieu, P., Yansaneh, M., Tunkara, I., & Newah, S. S. (2025). Assessing the effectiveness of government policies on youth employment in Sierra Leone. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports.

Makieu, P., Kanu, M. S., Sillah, A., & Sheriff, A. (2025). Nutritional values of cassava leaves in three districts, Kenema, Kailahun, and Bo, Sierra Leone. Food and Humanity.